The different classification sizes of York-Adams programs has made the league's postseason tournament a must-watch event, with small-school programs taking down their share of the league's traditional big-school powerhouses.

There always seems to be a chance for surprises. Last season, West York upset Central York, the Division I champion, in the league tournament. Then Susquehannock denied small-school Biglerville its chance to secure the program's first YAIAA tournament title, and the Warriors brought home the title.

This year, don't rule out some surprises as several teams that hovered around the .500 mark a year ago could be poised for major improvements.

The Central York boys' soccer team is once again the team every team is chasing in YAIAA Division I.
Jim Seip, YDR

Here's a glimpse of what to look for in 2018:

Division I

Can any team challenge Central York?

The Panthers dominated play last season, using a core of six senior starters. Central York recorded its fifth consecutive division title before injuries took their toll in the league (first-round loss) and district playoffs (second-round loss). The Panthers lost GameTimePA Player of the Year Nick Starr, and first-team all-stars Trace Becker (16 goals, 11 assists) and keeper Kam Stoll (13 shutouts) to graduation. Still, the expectations have not changed: Central expects to win the division. Holding midfielder Ryan Balanda, forward/midfielder Alex McNair and center midfielder Michael Nelson have returned and will captain the team. Forward Zach Mummert and midfielder Evan Smeltzer will also return for a team that will feature 13 seniors.

"I don't know what will happen, but we hope to be there again," Central coach Frank Lenno said. "We have a lot of players coming back that understand what we have done and want to be successful like we have in the past."

Dallastown was the last program to win a Division I title before Central's current run, and the Wildcats used to be the measuring stick for the rest of the league. Dallastown won four straight titles (2009-12) and five of six division titles at one point. The Wildcats hope to rebound after a first-round exit from the district playoffs a year ago with senior Gabe Wunderlich and Leo Garcia leading the way.

"Last year we had a lot of talent on the squad, and it just came down to not working well together," Garcia said. "I think this year it's not going to be a problem."

Head coach Matt Zimmerman added: "In my 20 years of coaching, last year I did the worst job. In self-reflecting about the season and matches, I just felt like I did a terrible job. ... I've changed my approach already this summer. We've already changed how we are going to attack this season."

Red Lion returns five senior starters, and the Lions will once again focus on trying to win games through a strong possession game. Red Lion coach Mike Watt said the depth of his team's talent is as good as he's seen in his five years with the program. Defense should be a strength, with the two center backs — Ethan Stough and Branden Ebersole — returning. One year ago, Stough and Ebersole earned second-team selections to the coaches' all-star teams. The Lions will need to replace their outside defenders, but expect a pair of juniors to move up from junior varsity and step into those roles. Midfielder Brody Patmore could prove to be one of the league's top players, and striker Michael Moffitt returns and could be an offensive force.

"I'm cautiously optimistic," Red Lion coach Mike Watt said.

South Western lost 11 seniors to graduation, but five starters return to a program that will see a big influx of youth with a large freshmen class. Casey Slater returns after an injury-plagued 2017. A concussion kept him out for a couple games before a fractured lower leg suffered during a tackle against Central York started his seven-month recovery process.

"It was tough on him, not only physically but mentally," South Western coach Brady Slater said.

Sean Quinn will move into the position vacated by graduate and YAIAA coaches' first-team all-star Sam Slater. The Mustangs also expect to shift Spencer Wells from defense to midfield. Juniors Sam Piatt and Drew Baldwin will also be depended on to hold down starting roles.

The South Western Boys Soccer team practice on the first day of fall sports practice, Monday, Aug. 13, 2018, at South Western High School.(Photo: Harrison Jones, For The Evening Sun)

Division II

Did end of 2017 season mark arrival of West York?

West York stormed on the scene in the league tournament last season, knocking off Division I champion Central York, 2-1. For a team that narrowly missed making the District 3 tournament, the league playoffs highlighted the fact the team had a strong young core. The Bulldogs lost just two players to graduation, and they return 10 players who started a year ago. The senior class will make up the majority of the varsity team this year.

First-year head coach Ben Reiber said: "I can see us having 15 players that could start, so that makes it tough on the coaching staff. ... I don't believe in implementing a system and plugging players into that system. I believe you look at your players and design a system around the strength of your players."

Look for Jake Altimore, Aiden Clark and Jack Langstaff to help anchor the team.

"West York is going to be an up-and-comer," Susquehannock coach Brett Maxwell said. "They were an improving team last year, and I think they're going to be the team to beat this year."

Defending league tournament and Division II champion Susquehannock still figures to be a team to beat. But the Warriors admittedly lost a lot to graduation, including six starters and GameTimePA first-team all-stars Jason Weger (15 goals, 13 assists) and Josh Smiley. Weger also earned all-state honors. That said, the Warriors return some key pieces from a year ago, including senior center midfielder Ben Wilson (3 goals, 8 assists), junior forward Greyson Murray (7 goals, 4 assists) and senior forward David Muriel-Diaz (20 goals, 3 assists). In net, Susquehannock returns Griffin Kaifer. Susquehannock's defense in front of Kaifer bottled up offensive surges last season, and the Warriors allowed more than one goal in just two games. So look for Kaifer to take on more of a starring role in stopping shots this season.

One more contender no one is counting out is Gettysburg. While the Warriors' first-round exit in the league tournament last season brought an end to Gettysburg's two-year run as league tournament champions, don't be surprised if Gettysburg remains a contender for the Division II title. Gettysburg ended last season with a District 3 quarterfinal loss to Hershey in double overtime. As far as players, keep an eye on Logan Carbaugh and Cade Wilhelm.

Kennard-Dale (8-7-2), Eastern York (6-12-2) ,York Suburban (5-11-2) and Dover (3-14) each will look to move up in the standings. Kennard-Dale brings back five returning starters, including Logan Coomes, Jake Ingoe, Max Cooper, Aaron Nowak and Kevin Avalos. Dover, meanwhile, returns seven starters, and forward/midfielder Devin Crone could lead the way.

Division III

Will Biglerville be able to compete with league's best?

The Canners entered the school year after an offseason that included tragedy. Alejandro Morales, a 2017 Biglerville graduate and soccer player, died by accidental drowning in July flood waters. The team played its alumni game in tribute to Morales, one of the emotional leaders of the team last year.

Biglerville had a talented senior class a year ago, with Chris Cellucci earning GameTimePA first-team honors, but he was just one of several standout players on the squad that finished its season after a semifinal loss to eventual District 3 Class 2A champion Lancaster Mennonite. Since 2013, Biglerville has won at least a share of the Division III championship every season except when Bermudian Springs won the 2015 title. Biglerville's Jorge Acevedo, Carlos Castillo, Colby Martin, Lazaro Salazar and Tyler Shannon will be players to watch.

York Catholic (9-7) looks to improve after a first-round exit in the district tournament, while Fairfield (11-6-1) will look to improve after a quarterfinal appearance. Hanover (10-6) will look to replace all-state player Diego Aguilar. Bermudian Springs (7-9), Littlestown (5-13) and Delone Catholic (2-13) are all looking to improve.

York High (3-9) returns to the league and will play in Division III. York High did not field a team for several years and then fielded a club program for several years. After playing an abbreviated schedule a year ago, the program has a 21-game schedule in place for 2018.

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York Catholic boys' soccer head coach Joe Nattans looks over the team on the first day of fall practice on August 13, 2018.(Photo: Anthony J. Machcinski, York Daily Record)